Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Kabul (BNA) A number of women who are busy in cleaning and sweeping roads in Kabul city said that they were happy to work shoulder to shoulder with men and clean streets in the city, saying that by working on streets they could make a living and provide food for their families.
Zar Sanga, a woman working along with other female cleaners in the city said, “I am happy to work with other women and by money I get monthly I can provide food for my family and help my six children to get education.”
In Afghan society, it is very rare to work on streets like men, but she could have accepted this risk and work like other men on Kabul streets, said Zar Sanga.
In connection with bothering by a number of people while cleaning streets in the city, she said, “There are some people who are bothering us, but most of the people are supporting us and welcoming our works on streets and despites all these things, we usually cover our faces and wear sunglasses not to be recognized while working on streets.”
She asked the people to fully support them and not create problems for female workers on streets in the city.
Another female worker while considering working on streets as very difficult says they have to work and get money as most of these women have no homes.
Basira, who is a young woman and has lost her brothers and father in war, is also working on streets in the city.
“I have to work to provide food for rest of my family. This culture should improve in our society because Afghanistan is a war-battered country where my of its people in particular women have lost their family members, so those women who have lost their family members are obliged to work on streets or other places like restaurants,” added Basira.
According to Basira, role of women in other well-developed countries is considerable as they are highly supported by their people, but in our society most of men avoid education of women and girls.
“My message to those women who are uneducated but interested in working and studying is to put end the unpleasant culture saying that a woman can do nothing and play vital role in their society,” she said.
Sadiqa, team leader of female cleaners said that Habitat International Organization has recruited a number of women for cleaning streets and roads in various parts of Kabul city where each female cleaner was given 7000 Afghani monthly salary.
It is worth mentioning that women are now mostly interested in playing key role in their society in various sections comparing to previous years in the country, but it is still needed to enhance capabilities of women so that they play more active role in the country.
Shukria Kohistani
